Kindred Spirits: A Marketplace of Everything Handmade and One of a Kind

Kindred Spirits: A Marketplace of Everything Handmade and One of a Kind

Maybe the most instantly-recognizable storefront in Downtown
Spartanburg is designed to catch the eye and entice shoppers inside. There,
they’ll find art – in various forms – from nearly 70 local artists, the cozy
aroma of burning candles and the welcoming demeanor of Katheryn and Maggie
Macdonald.

The mother-daughter team opened Kindred Spirits – with its bright
blue and green storefront reading “you are one of a kind” – on Spring Street
nearly three years ago. The boutique features unique, handmade jewelry, home
goods, art, knick-knacks, soaps, pottery, greeting cards and upcycled clothes.

“We really wanted to do something that would attract
attention and we could say, ‘oh, you know, look for the blue mural or the green
leaves,’” she said. “Plus, my daughter loves to paint and she just went for
it.”

“We’re a marketplace of all things handmade and
one-of-a-kind,” Katheryn said. “Everyone who comes in here hears that from us.”

Art runs in the Macdonald family. Katheryn has been working
with textile arts since she was 4 years old, creating and sewing all the while.
Maggie, a Converse College student, has been painting since she was a child and
is pursuing an art career.

Maggie worked in the business that previously occupied the
Spring Street space Kindred Spirits now calls home. The Macdonalds had the
chance to take over the space and jumped at it.

“We thought, ‘what the heck,’ let’s go for it,” Katheryn
said. “We had an opportunity to take over the whole space, so we did that. Most
recently, we’ve signed a three-year lease because we love it here.”

Kindred Spirits started off offering mostly the products
made by Katheryn and Maggie, “because we didn’t know what we were doing,”
Katheryn said jokingly. Now, though, the shop works with and sells the products
of nearly 70 artists from across Spartanburg. Kindred Spirits’ walls and
shelves are adorned with acrylic paintings, handmade soaps, jewelry and dozens
of uniquely-Spartanburg items crafted right here.

“When we take people’s stuff, they kind of say, ‘do you
think you could sell it?’ And we say, ‘yes, of course! We love that,” Katheryn
said. “By the time we’re done with them, they walk out, shoulders are back,
head is high. This is a ministry and we had no idea. That’s what this is all
about, taking these artists that don’t feel confident in themselves and getting
their products to the people.”

Katheryn said the shop has started hosting art classes related
to the various products they sell. For instance, February will feature
wood-based art and woodworking. The classes encourage artists to explore
creativity rather than try to make something by any kind of blueprint.

“We love teaching and just having fun, getting past the ‘did
I do it right’ feature of art,” she said. “My daughter always says, ‘do it your
way is doing it right.’”

Kindred Spirits has started hosting live music during
ArtWalk events, adding to the welcoming vibe emanating from the store.

The tagline of Kindred Spirits rings true in their products
and the environment inside the space. Katheryn said that is by-design to
encourage artistic creation, encourage artists and welcome in anyone with an
appreciation for handmade products and design.

“Just trying to get a community where they feel comfortable.
I’m kind of one of those. I swim up a different stream. People come in here
sometimes and just hang out, and that’s such a compliment to me. We want to
create a space that feels comfortable,” she said. “If you want to not be like
anyone else, come here. We’re not like anyone else.”